Minds On
Notice and wonder
When it comes to food, does packaging really matter? The way that food is packaged is important because it has to protect the food inside. But it also has to be able to attract the attention of a consumer.
Examine the following cereal boxes and consider the following questions:
- What are the elements of each cereal box?
- What do the elements on the packaging make you think about?
- How are the cereal boxes similar or different?
- What messages on the packaging make you think you would like this cereal?
You may write, type, or use speech-to-text software to record your responses.
Action
Elements of cereal boxes
Let’s think about elements of cereal box packaging. Cereal boxes use text, visuals and attractive themes to stand out and engage consumers. Nutrition facts labels are also very important because they contain information about the serving size, calories, additional nutrients, and ingredients. The ingredients are especially important for people with dietary restrictions or allergies. You’ll notice that cereal box packaging varies depending on the target audience.
Explore the following cereal boxes.
Cereal box examples
Compare and contrast
Select one cereal that is marketed towards adults and one that is marketed towards children. Compare and contrast the packaging (cereal box). Use the following questions to examine each cereal box:
- How would you describe the cereal?
- Who is the target audience?
- What does the company want you to know about the product?
You may use the following fillable and printable Cereal Box Analysis Chart to record what you notice about each cereal box and its packaging. You can also complete the activity in your notebook or use a note-taking software of your choice.
| Elements of the cereal box packaging | Adult cereal box | Children’s cerealbox |
|---|---|---|
| Name | ||
| Images on the box | ||
| Colours used | ||
| Mascot or character | ||
| Nutritional Information | ||
| Message or Tagline (e.g. No Sugar Added! of Free Toy Inside) |
Complete Cereal Box Analysis Chart in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document.
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Cereal Box Analysis Chart.
Consolidation
Designing your own food packaging
Planning and creating
You may use the following graphic organizer or a note-taking software of your choice to design the packaging for your favourite cereal. If you prefer, you may choose to design packaging for your favourite food that is not cereal. Keep the following questions in mind as your plan your design:
- Who is your target audience? (e.g., cereal packages with characters are targeted toward children)
- What do you want (and need) the consumer to know about the product?
Complete the Packaging Planning Sheet in your notebook or using the following fillable and printable document to help you design the packaging for your favourite cereal or food.
| Elements of the Cereal Box Packaging | |
|---|---|
| Name of product | |
| Target audience (Who is your product for?) | |
| Images on the box | |
| Colours used | |
| Mascot or character | |
| Nutritional information | |
| Message or tagline (e.g. No Sugar Added! of Free Toy Inside) | |
Press the ‘Activity’ button to access the Packaging Planning Sheet.
Let's reflect
Use the following questions to reflect on your design. You can record your responses using a method of your choice.
- Describe the packaging. What parts of the packaging would attract your attention?
- Who is the target audience?
- Would you want to buy this product? Why or why not?
Reflection
As you read through these descriptions, which sentence best describes how you are feeling about your understanding of this learning activity? Press the button that is beside this sentence.
I feel...
Now, record your ideas using a voice recorder, speech-to-text, or writing tool.